Michael M. Rose's Blog

AH! The Holidays!! - the gift buying, the busy social schedule, and financial pressures. These aside, for many people, the holidays seem to make the grief we feel with the loss of a loved one extra fresh. This grief can undoubtedly be a result of losing a family member or close friend to death, and it can also mean mourning Continue Reading

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About 20 years ago, I began my personal deconstruction - this involved stepping away (dismantling)from Big Box ministry. It cost me friends, notoriety, my ministry equity and reputation, my false sense of certainty about all things God, and … a paycheque. I write about it in my 2012 book “Becoming Love. Avoiding Common Forms of Christian Insanity.”  Still, the journey out and Continue Reading

The post Deconstructing your Faith? A bit of what I learned during my Deconstruction. appeared first on Michael Rose :: Spiritual Care Specialist.

I promised myself I wouldn’t write about the recent US election. Frankly, I’m tired of it all and unsure if the frenzied energy and attention are helping or hindering. But still, I will brush up against the US election results without actually writing about it. In this instance, folks who tend to lean to the right on the political spectrum Continue Reading

The post No, God Doesn’t Choose Bad Leaders appeared first on Michael Rose :: Spiritual Care Specialist.

I’ll state the obvious. I’m an idealist(not to be confused with lazy passive optimism).  The novel and the beautiful capture me. However, my idealism can be double-edged, for sure.   As Stanley Kubrick’s character General Broulard profers, “You’re an idealist, and I pity you as I would the village idiot.”1 Maybe he’s right to do so.  Perhaps I’m like Miguel de Cervantes’ endearing Continue Reading

The post Why Love? appeared first on Michael Rose :: Spiritual Care Specialist.

Many of us are familiar with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  You know, Blessed are the poor.  Blessed are the ... .  There are two words that translate into "Blessed" in first-century Judaism. The first, in Hebrew beraka (and the Greek eulogeo) and this word isn't used in the Beatitudes. This word is used in prayer, asking for a blessing. For example, "Father, please bless Tom Continue Reading

The post You’re In when you Feel Most Out appeared first on Michael Rose :: Spiritual Care Specialist.

This story opens a host of possibilities for engaging in life awake. It’s not about over-the-top heroism by making a single seismic difference; rather, it’s about a lifestyle of being aware of the everyday opportunities for healing the parts of the world that you come in contact with as a part of living your life.

The post Lifting the Light appeared first on Michael Rose :: Spiritual Care Specialist.

Spiritual direction is an ancient practice where an individual seeks guidance and support in their spiritual journey from a qualified and experienced spiritual director. "Director" is kind of a misnomer. It's more like spiritual companionship or a "soul friend." It involves a safe one-on-one relationship with a spiritual companion who offers a compassionate presence and listens attentively as the individual shares their spiritual journey.

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I was struck by the juxtaposition of new beginnings and endings. Celebration and grief inhabiting the same space in time, in the lives of my family, and in my own heart.

The post Beginnings & Endings appeared first on IamSignificant.ca :: Love Inspired Spiritual Care.

Jesus as a trauma bond rings true (in degrees) in my experience/work but the phrase sets me back on my heels.

The post Trauma Bond appeared first on IamSignificant.ca :: Love Inspired Spiritual Care.

Relationships are as varied and unique as people themselves but constitutive of what it is to be human (to exist). Relationship is a powerful dynamic between us, others, the world and our source (God).

The post Awakening in Christ’s Body appeared first on IamSignificant.ca :: Love Inspired Spiritual Care.